Thundering herds of Audi-ness! V12 power at last! What it Is 2009 Audi R8 V12 TDI Concept -- 2008 Detroit Auto Show: If Audi's not careful, they could become the poster company for conspicuous consumption, automaker style. First they bring out the R8, with its 4.8-liter V-8, then the next thing you know there's talk of a 5.0-liter...and now, straight from the Detroit Auto Show, there's bluster about a V12 TDI. Really. At some point you have to stop, even if you can keep going. Only problem is that this particular concept is quite a bit more than a good idea, and delivers all the power of a rocket ship with plus-20 mpg. Why it Matters Call us crazy, but adding a 6.0-liter V-12 TDI to the R8 lineup, well, that ranks right up high on the "why it matters" index, next to marriage, college for the kids and maybe even that retirement account. It's a good thing for us, then, that it's a concept, albeit one that we hope is offered.
What's Under the Hood So, you drove the Audi R8 and whined about the power, eh? Try this: a 12-cylinder diesel pouring out 500 horsepower and 737 lb.-ft. of torque. As a clean diesel, the V12 TDI Concept already meets Euro 6 standards for emissions control, a nice little hint as to the possible future of this, cough, concept. Based on the LeMans winning R10 racecar, the Concept is equipped with Audi's Quattro system and a six-speed manual transmission.
What's Audi Says Audi reps said quite a bit about their diesel technology, but to be honest my eyes glazed over. All they really had to say was "500 horsepower and 737 lb.-ft. of torque" followed by "R8."
What We Think Assuming that Europe will get this diesel version of the R8, we're hoping to get our piece of R8-diesel happiness. Considering how much Audi is pitching diesel as the Great Way to Oil Baron Freedom, well, I'd say our chances are better than bad that we'll get to buy and drive on these shores.
Audi's
eighth Le Mans triumph in just ten races! This
puts
Audi in third place – just one
victory short of Ferrari
– on the perpetual list of
winners of the endurance classic
which has been staged since 1923
.
Audi
accidents prevent outright win in Salt Lake City
-Both Audi R10 TDI cars involved
in collisions just before the end
-Lucas Luhr/Marco Werner
win LM P1 class -Frank Biela/Emanuele
Pirro third in class despite premature
exit within the race.
1-2
fininsh at Long Beach for Audi -First
victory of the Audi
R10 TDI at Long Beach
-Second consecutive
victory of Audi TDI power on street
circuit
-Lucas Luhr/Marco Werner
extend championship lead
Villeneuve
handed Le Mans chance
The Canadian,
35, will drive the new diesel car the French company hopes will end
Audi's domination of the race.
